Season 4 of “The Facts of Life” on DVD May 4
For those who grew up with Jo, Blair, Natalie and Tootie, it’s time for a reunion. And for those who don’t know these Eastland school girls, it’s time to check out “The Facts of Life.”
Season 4 of the NBC show that ran from 1979-88 comes out on DVD on May 4. The 4-disc set released by Shout Factory features all 24 episodes from that season, including the two-hour television special “The Facts of Life Goes to Paris.”
“The Facts of Life: The Complete Fourth Season” can be purchased from several online sites for $30 or less (the suggested retail price is $39.99).
Jo (Nancy McKeon), Blair (Lisa Whelchel), Natalie (Mindy Cohn) and Tootie (Kim Fields) are back to learn more life lessons at Eastland Academy for Girls. And Mrs. Garrett (Charlotte Rae), the school’s dietitian, is there to help in any way she can.
This collection contains perhaps the best two episodes from the show’s nine seasons — “Graduation: Part 1″ and “Graduation: Part 2.” And “Take My Finals, Please” ranks right up there with those, which should be required watching for all graduates.
Other topics the show touches on in Season 4 include abortion, hearing loss, obsession, income tax, drinking and driving and becoming nun.
This show truly does offer viewers “The Facts of Life.”
–Penny TV
TV on DVD: ‘The Hunger’
“The Hunger”, a 30-minute anthology of horror stories, premiered on Showtime more than a decade ago. Yet it features many familiar faces from TV today.
Balthazar Getty (“Brothers & Sisters”) is in the first episode. Lena Headey (“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”) is in the second. A young Colin Ferguson (“Eureka”) stars in Episode 5.
Seeing these actors in earlier roles is reason enough to check out “The Hunger: The Complete First Season,” now available on DVD. All 22 first-season episodes are featured on four discs. The DVD cover has a “True Blood” feel to it, but only four of the tales revolve around vampires. All are dark and adult-oriented, though.
Terence Stamp (“Smallville”) introduces each story in Season 1, which originally aired on Showtime in 1997-98. There was a second season of the show, which was hosted by David Bowie, and hopefully it will be released on DVD, as well.
–Penny TV
“The Hunger: The Complete First Season”
••“The Swords” (episode 1) — A man gets into a relationship with a woman who can survive being peirced by swords. Familiar Face: Balthazar Getty (“Brothers & Sisters”).
••“Menage a Trois” (episode 2) — A wheelchair bound woman uses her nurse in a plan to seduce a young workman. Familiar Faces: Lena Headey (“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”), Daniel Craig (“Quantum of Solace”).
••“Necros” (episode 3) — A man falls for a beautiful woman, but her old companion may be a vampire.
••“The Secret Shih-Tan” (episode 4) — A gourmet chef is asked to prepare a meal from a secret book called Shi-Than.
••“Bridal Suite” (episode 5) — A couple on their honeymoon encounter a bed that is said to have been cursed for all adulterous lovers. Familiar Face: Colin Ferguson (“Eureka”)
••“Room 17″ (episode 6) — A man rents a room in order to watch a special set of erotic movies. Familiar Face: Curtis Armstrong (“The Chronicle”).
••“Anais” (episode 7) — An architect takes a little time off while working, fantasizing about a woman he names Anais.
••“No Radio” (episode eight) — A woman has an affair with a strange man, and ends up being kidnapped by the man.
••“But At My Back I Always Hear” (episode 9) — A professor is haunted by a girl student who keeps stalking him even after she commits suicide. Familiar Face: Michael Gross (“Family Ties”).
••“Red Light” (episode 10) — A supermodel lives in fear over flashes from the lights of cameras, believing that they will steal her soul.
••“I’m Dangerous Tonight” (episode 11) — A dress designed by a fashion desinger causes the people who wear it to make strange decisions. Familiar Face: Esai Morales (“Jericho”).
••“The Sloan Men” (episode 12) — A bride’s mother-in-law has a shocking revelation about her new husband—he’s not human. Familiar Face: Margot Kidder (“Smallville”).
••“A Matter of Style” (episode 13) — A young burglar is turned into a vampire, and then guided by a beautiful experienced woman vampire. Familiar Face: Chad Lowe (“Life Goes On”).
••“Hidebound” (episode 14) — A female security guard is on her first assignment at a construction site, where she’s attacked by a murderous spirit who only she can see.
••“Fly-By-Night” (episode 15) — A mental patient tormented by wartime flashbacks is locked up with a vampire who offers her a way to end her suffering. Familiar Face: Giancarlo Esposito (“South Beach”).
••“The River of Night’s Dreaming” (episode 16) — When a prison transport van crashes into a river, a female convict escapes and seeks shelter at an eldery woman’s place.
••“The Lighthouse” (episode 17) — During a hurricane, a new lighthouse keeper has to come to terms with his sanity or he will die. Familiar Face: Bruce Davison (“Knight Rider”).
••“The Face of Helene Bournouw” (episode 18) — A reporter investigates a woman who literally drives men insane.
••“Plain Brown Envelope” (episode 19) — On a snowy night, a hitchhiker ends up in a truck that turns out to be the warehouse of a sex fantasy merchandiser.
••“The Other Woman” (episode 20) — A woman having an affair with a married man “relives” her death at the hands of his wife. Familiar Face: Joanna Cassidy (“Six Feet Under”).
••“Clarimonde” (episode 21) — A priest who is about to take a vow has a night of passion with a beautiful woman.
••“Footsteps” (episode 22) — A woman vampire seduces and then eats a man every night, until she meets a vegetarian vampire in Paris. Familiar Face: Paul Anthony Stewart (“The Guiding Light”).
